New Mexico Firefighters Get Untimely Training

Two trailers that were meant to be used for training in a few weeks went up in flames at 1:20 a.m.

Jan. 28, 2008

CHAPARRAL, N.M. --

Chaparral and Far South volunteer firefighters received unexpected training Thursday morning. Two trailers that were meant to be used for training in a few weeks went up in flames at 1:20 a.m.

Chief Charlie Brooks of the Chaparral Fire Department said the trailers were to be moved to the Chaparral Fire Department. He said someone abandoned them on a lot on Wicker Road. The property owner wanted to get rid of them and was donating them to firefighters for training purposes.

"We had arranged to move them in the next few weeks, but I guess we won't be doing that now," said Brooks.

Investigators suspect someone set them on fire. Officials said the fire spread from one trailer to the other. One firefighter was taken to Mountain View Hospital for smoke inhalation.

The fire marshal's office is investigating the fire.